Senator Calderon Celebrates Completion of the Rebuilt Paramount Boulevard Overpass

Contact Bob Jimenez May 18, 2012 323-236-6665

MONTEBELLO – Calling the Paramount Boulevard 60 freeway overpass, "the tie that binds," Senator Ron Calderon today walked across the structure and declared it a great day for Montebello residents and others who rely on the span to go to work, shop and visit family and friends.

The Senator, who lives in Montebello, praised Caltrans and its subcontractors for finishing the project five weeks ahead of schedule.

"Half the time it was dark, "he said. "Sometimes it was cold, but Caltrans and its people worked round the clock, never complained and got the job done."

Senator Calderon played a key role in the rapid rehabilitation of the overpass that took less than six months to complete after being engulfed and charred in a tanker-truck fire two weeks before Christmas. Immediately calling on Governor Brown to declare the site a state of emergency, Senator Calderon helped pave the way for $2 million in federal emergency highway funds for the reconstruction project.

Between 180 to 200 labors, carpenters, electricians, concrete pours, drivers, surveyors and engineers were employed in the rebuilding of the bridge.

"What’s important is keeping this community vibrant and connected," said Senator Calderon. "While the bridge was down, no one was more concerned than local businesses that worried about keeping their doors open. They’re smiling today!"

The Paramount Boulevard crossing is actually a new bridge that is wider, longer, can carry the heaviest loads and, most important, is seismically safe.

The bridge reopens to the public on Monday but Caltrans will continue working on additions and improvements to the bridge with a minimum disruption to traffic.